How to Love an Alpha

Chapter 14 (Pic of Sage)

<*Unedited*>

I woke up and turned onto my side. It felt like when you poke a bruise. I rolled on my back in response. I yawned and blinked several times. My gaze fell to my alarm clock. It was 7 pm. I sat up and got out of bed. My headache hadn't gone away like I'd hoped.

There was a knock at my door.

"Come in!" I called, double checking that I was still in my regular day clothes.

It was Grace. She was holding a water bottle and two pills.

"Zeke thought I should bring these up to you. Are you in much pain?" She inquired, sitting on the edge of my bed.

"Not at all, but thank you." I told her gratefully. "I'll take them if I do start having pain." I added, partially lying.

"Hey, Mackenzie... do you think you could ever forgive me?" She wondered.

"Forgive you? Whatever for?" I asked her, slightly stunned by her question.

"It was my idea to make you the heir to be alpha. If I hadn't made the claim, you'd be fine right now. They wouldn't have had any reason to hurt you." she murmured.

"Grace, this isn't your fault. Even if it were, I forgive you." I promised her.

She gave a smile. It wasn't quite thankful, it was mostly regretful. I sat down next to her on the bed.

"I know their hideaway now, stopping them will be easy. Zeke has done a great job at training everyone. We're going to be ready to take down the rogue pack." I assured her, putting my hand over hers.

"I hope..." she huffed. "you're right." she finished, rising to leave my room. "Oh, and, Kenzie?" She paused at my doorway. "Gabe wants to see you. He's hanging downstairs. he told us you were taking a nap, right?" She wondered.

"Yeah, I actually just got up." I nodded in agreement. "I'll be right down." I added.

Grace nodded her head in assurance, pieces of her blonde hair escaping her messy bun that was twirled on the top of her head. You could tell a lot about a girl based from her hair. Grace always had a bun. Some days it was a tight ballerina bun, others, it was a braided bun. Messy bun were when she was in a rush. She definitely hadn't been in a rush for the past couple weeks, but everyday she came over with the same bun. She had something going on and anyone who knew her could tell what it was. Depression. She had the time to do her hair, she just didn't want to. She didn't have the motivation to. Grace left my room and went downstairs. I felt something for her... not quite pity, but I felt awful for her. She'd just lost her child not to long ago. I bit my bottom lip.

I composed myself and started out of my room. Once downstairs, the scent of steak filled my nostrils. I eagerly sat down on one of the bar stools.

"Smell good?" Chase asked, bringing in the last plate.

"Smells great." I agreed.

"Good, you should gain those few pounds back anyway." he smiled.

I felt hands go on my shoulders, and I turned my head around in surprise.

"My brothers haven't murdered you and fed you to the wildlife?" I asked, realizing it was Gabe.

"I'm still debating it." Chase smirked.

I gave him a small glare, but I doubt I looked very threatening.

"Whoa, don't hurt me." he pleaded jokingly.

I hated my brothers for not liking Gabe. It wasn't fair of them, but what could I do about it? I turned to face Gabe. He had a smile on his face, slight dimples showing. His smile faded away as he studied my face. Not my face. My injuries. His eyes scanned over every cut and bruise. He put a gentle hand up to my cheek and his thumb lightly grazed one of my bruises. He gave a look of disgust directed towards himself. I brought up my hand and grasped his.